You don’t have to adhere to a list of New Year’s resolutions to be healthy in 2020.

Healthy habits that can add years to your life can be adopted at any time, said Dr. Tom Skelton, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “It’s really about trying to get back to the basics of what’s best for our bodies,” he said.

As you journey into January, some tips to consider:

• Get moving. Health care professionals recommend getting at least three and a half hours of moderate to vigorous exercise each week for cardiovascular health.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Skelton suggests taking “easy wins,” such as exchanging multiple sugary drinks with sugar-free drinks, possibly eliminating 1,000 calories per day in heavy soda drinkers.
• Eat healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and polyunsaturated and Omega-3 fatty acids. At the same time, eat less red meat, avoid trans fats and limit your sodium, Skelton said.
• Limit alcohol intake. Not only is excessive alcohol consumption linked to permanent liver damage and esophageal cancer, it’s full of calories.
• If you don’t smoke, don’t start, and if you are a smoker, stop. “Studies that have looked at smoking cessation show that at any age, stopping smoking has rapid medical benefits,” Skelton said.

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